Mail-box



c. HEINE.

MAIL-BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I3. I920.

QYWMMM CH/WPZBS HH Patented Dec. 21,

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I 257 55 (Qatar/M74 C. H. HEINE.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13. 1 920.

1,362,941, Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3 m 61%?! ES H ////v vi? 1144 dtzozmi d PATENT reins.

CHARLES H. HEINE, OF LEXINGTON, NEBRASKA.

MAIL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec. 21 192() Applicationfiled May 13, 1920. Serial No. 381,001.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, CHARLES H. I-IEINn, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lexington, in the county of Dawson and State of Nebraska,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Maih Boxes, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention especially relates to mail boxes of the kind used inrural delivery, and the object of the invention is to provide a mail boxof this class which may be manufactured at a small cost, is strong,durable and weatherproof, and may be easily operated.

In carrying out my invention I form a cylindrical receptacle of sheetmetal which is closed throughout except at the top, where an opening isprovided for the reception and withdrawal of mail matter. This openingis normally closed by a curved cover which is hinged to the body of thebox and adapted to move in an arc concentric with the longitudinal axisof the body of the box. Springs are provided within the box whichnormally hold the cover closed, but permit it to be opened at will, andthe cover is provided with a rack for holding packages or other mailmatter which cannot conveniently be placed in the box. This neck may beemployed for opening the box against the force of the springs. Withinthe box I arrange a clasp, by means of which a letter or other mailmatter requiring postage stamps may be held and displayed, and I alsoprovide a receptacle for coin to pay the required postage.

Other features of the invention will be hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mailbox embodying my improvements attached to a support.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. showing by full lines the coverin open position, and by dotted lines, in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, showing the cover in closed position.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the cover in open position.

Fig. 5 is a detail view in section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view showing particularly the clasp forholding a letter requiring postage and the coin receptacle.

F 7 is a detail sectional view showing partlcularly the manner ofhinging the cover to the body of the box, and also showing the signal.

The body A of the box is preferably of cylindrical form, as shown. It isclosed throughout except at the top, where an opening B is provided forthe reception and withdrawal of mail matter. The box may be supported ona post C or other suitable support by means of a bracket D of suitableconstruction. The cover E comprises a curved lid 6 and sector shapedside pieces 6 which are pivotally connected at e to the sides of the boxbody in such manner that the cover may be swung from the closed positionshown in Fig. 3 to the open position shown in Fig. 4.

On each side of the opening in the box the metal is beaded as indicatedat b to provide smooth edges on opposite sides of the opening and thelid is so supported that it clears these beads while being moved. Therear edge of the cover is flanged at c to provide a stop to limit theforward movement of the lid, as indicated in Fig. 3.

Normally the lid is held closed by springs G, which are connected to thefront edge of the lid and extend to the bottom of the box, where theyare secured at 9. When the lid is closed the springs are in the positionshown in Fig. 3 and hold the lid closed, but

when the lid is opened, the springs are ex tended and moved to theposition shown in Fig. 1-. The upper ends of the springs are secured atg to the rib which is attached to the under side of the front part ofthe lid.

In order to properly hold the springs when the lid is open, I providesupports m which engage the springs and bend them in the manner shown inFig. 4-, when the lid is thrown back, so that the springs will tend toclose the lid. These supports are adjustable. Each one of them consistsof a slotted plate m through which extends a bolt m which also serves toconnect the lid with the box body. The plate m extends through a housingm attached to the end of the box and serves as a guide for the plate m.The plate we may be adjusted to the desired. extent so as to hold thespring with which it is associated in the proper way. Similar devicesare used on each end of the box and the plates m may be so adjusted asto so engage the springs as to cause them to automatically close thebox,

or they may be so adjusted as to permit the.

ceptacle 0 may be carried by the lid to receive the coin or coinsnecessary to pay the postage. H indicates a rack which is applied to thefront portion of the lid. It serves to hold packages or other mailmatter that cannot conveniently be inserted in the box. It may also beused to operate the lid, as by merely pressing against the rack with thearm or with a mail bag or other object held by the carrier or user, thelid may be opened.

S indicates a signal device consisting of a disk 8 and astem 8 which ispivotally connected at its lower end 8 with a rod .9 which is secured ats to the cover and is also secured at s to the rack. The rod 8" servesto strengthen or stiffen the rack as well as to provide a pivotalsupport for the signal.

The signal device is operated by hand. When the box is opened the signaldevice is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2. When the box is closedthe device may be swung around to the position shown in Fig.

' 1 and held by the stop 01;.

Experience has demonstrated that a mail box constructed in the mannerdescribed is entirely waterproof, is strong and durable and may beeasily manufactured.

While the box is especially intended for rural free delivery, it may beemployed for other purposes.

I claim as my invention:

1. A mail box, comprising a cylindrical body portion having an openingat the top,

.a curved cover having sector shaped ends hinged to the body portion ofthe box and adaptedto move about the longitudinal central axis of thebox, springs within the box attached at their lower ends to the forwardportion of the bottom of the box and at their upper ends to the frontportion of the cover, and supports carried by the ends of the box andwithin the box adapted to engage the middle portions of the springs whenthe cover is open.

2. A mail box, comprising a cylindrical body portion having an openingat the top, a curved cover having sector shaped ends hinged to the bodyportion of the box and adapted to move about the longitudinal centralaxis of the box, springs within the box attached at their lower ends tothe forward portion of the bottom of the box and at their upper ends tothe front portion of the cover, and adjustable supports carried by theends of the box and within the box adapted to engage the middle portionsof the springs when the cover is open.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

CHARLES H. HEINE.

